Flexible gripping hair pick

ABSTRACT

An improved pick to more effectively grip, lift and comb a shock of hair by virtue of having a plurality of elongated teeth which may be squeezed together to grip, lift and comb the hair, or may be opened apart to more easily enter or release the hair. This hair pick is molded as one piece of integral plastic sufficiently flexible to allow manipulation of the elongated teeth by finger pressure using only one hand, thus freeing the other hand for spraying etc. The elongated teeth may have attached small teeth for parting the the hair and may have attached small notches for engaging and helping to lift the hair.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for assisting in lifting, holding and combing a shock of hair.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Hairdressers, whether professional or amateur, endeavor to lift and comb hair shock by shock in a smooth manner to eliminate tangling and matting. There are many multiple toothed hair picks on the market which are of assistance in doing so, but on a limited manner. They generally require the operator's second hand to hold and guide the hair through the teeth of the pick.

Cited for reference are a few of the many such patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,608—Cavaioli

D 368,981—Bozak

D 441,136—Leman

D 367,544—Bozak

D 330,782—Balster, Krushke, Easely

D 367,338—Bozak

D 347,492—Krushke, Soller

D 199,657—Vallis

D 147,167—Utley

Additionally, Patent D 270,296—Thomas, features the ability to open and close the elongated teeth about a transverse spring hinge. However, it appears that gripping the hair with only one hand would be awkward and also that this mechanism would be liable to pinch and tangle the hair.

Additionally, Patent D 258,541—Featherstone, features a double deck set of elongated teeth, the intent of which is to separate and lift hair. However, it does not have the ability to grip the hair and then release it with one hand.

What is needed is a simple, one piece pick with elongated teeth projecting from a flexible base bar permitting the operator to close the elongated teeth to grip and lift the hair and to open the teeth to release the hair. The pick base will include a circular finger grip and two curved finger grips for one hand control. The elongated teeth may have attached small notches for engaging and helping to to lift the hair and small teeth for parting the hair.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Is a plan view of the Flexible Gripping Hair Pick in a relaxed condition.

FIG. 2 is a plan view wherein the elongated teeth are closed together by flexing the base bar by pressing on the grips.

FIG. 3 is a plan view wherein the elongated teeth are spread apart by flexing the base bar by pressing on the grips in the opposite direction.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the pick.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a triangular cross-section of a typical elongated tooth.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a typical elongated tooth in an alternative embodiment wherein small teeth and small notches are shown.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the bottom (scalp side) of the elongated tooth shown in FIG. 6.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   11 Elongated teeth -   12 Flexible base bar -   13 Circular finger grip -   14 Curved finger grips -   15 Elongated teeth with small teeth and small notches -   16 Small teeth -   17 Small notches

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

-   a. To provide a simple but effective and reliable device which will     allow a person to more easily lift, hold and comb a shock of hair. -   b. To provide a hair pick wherein the elongated teeth may easily be     entered into a shock of hair by virtue of a flexible structure     permitting said teeth to be spread apart. -   c. To provide a hair pick wherein the elongated teeth may easily be     closed together, thus gripping a shock of hair so that the hair may     be more effectively combed, held and lifted using essentially one     hand. -   d. To provide a hair pick wherein the elongated teeth may easily be     opened apart, by virtue of a flexible structure, to release the     hair. -   e. To provide a hair pick wherein the elongated teeth are triangular     in cross section so the apexes closest to the scalp will tend to     separate, that is, comb the hair. -   f. In another embodiment, provide a hair pick with small teeth along     the apexes of the elongated teeth closest to the scalp to further     help in combing the hair. -   g. In another embodiment, provide a hair pick with small notches     along the lateral sides of the elongated teeth to engage and help     lift the hair. 

1. In a hair pick for lifting, holding and combing a shock of hair comprising a plurality of essentially parallel elongated teeth attached to a narrow, flexible base bar having a finger hole and two finger grips attached, the entire assembly formed as an integral piece of moderately flexible plastic.
 2. The hair pick of claim 1 wherein said elongated parallel teeth may be manipulated toward closing together by use of a person's fingers in the finger hole and the finger grips, thus gripping the hair.
 3. The hair pick of claim 1 wherein said elongated parallel teeth may be manipulated to spread apart by use of a person's fingers in the finger hole and the finger grips, thus allowing easier entry of the elongated teeth into the hair.
 4. The hair pick of claim 1 wherein each of the elongated teeth is triangular in cross-section.
 5. The hair pick of claim 1 wherein small combing teeth are located at periodic intervals along the ridges formed by the triangular elongated teeth, said ridges being those used adjacent to a person's scalp for parting the hair.
 6. The hair pick of claim 1 wherein small, suitably shaped notches are located at periodic intervals along the two side ridges formed by the triangular elongated teeth, said side ridges being used to engage and help lift the hair. 